The Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG) is expressing concerns with an amendment to Bill C-21, which will restrict hunting rifles and semi-automatic guns. .“We need answers,” said TNG Tribal Chair Joe Alphonse in a Tuesday press release. .“Bill C-21 was supposed to be a bill that restricted handguns and now it is targeting hunting rifles.” .The Canadian Shooting Sports Association said on November 22 rumours the federal government will ban semi-automatic guns are confirmed after an amendment was proposed to Bill C-21. .READ MORE: Canadian government proposes to ban semi-automatic weapons.The amendment was tabled to ban all semi-automatic rifles and shotguns capable of accepting an external magazine. .Clause 1 in Bill C-21 would be amended to say a rifle or shotgun “that is capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner and that is designed to accept a detachable cartridge magazine with a capacity greater than five cartridges of the type for which the firearm was originally designed.” The amendment contains a number of firearms identified by name. .The release said hunting rifles are necessary for hunting and exercising the indigenous right to hunt as affirmed by Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution. It said TNG recognizes gun violence has to be addressed in Canada. .While there are particular guns needing to be banned in Canada to protect people, the release said there has to be a practical balance in banning select ones. It said hunting rifles are used to kill large game such as deer and moose in TNG territory. .Alphonse said he applauds countries such as New Zealand and Australia enacting gun bans, but any law “must take into account the environment it exists in.” He described indigenous people as hunters. .He concluded by saying indigenous people “rely on food from the land for food security and a hunting rifle is a tool to accomplish that.” .“Canada needs to address these concerns before moving forward with Bill C-21 or it will be challenged,” he said. .Antler Kitchen and Bar chef and owner Michael Hunter spoke out against Bill C-21 by posing with his semi-automatic gun on Sunday. .READ MORE: Antler Kitchen chef denounces Bill C-21 by standing with gun.“These guns are not used in crimes, the government has no right to take away my property,” said Hunter. .“They claim they’re going after assault style weapons, but if you read the list, they’re trying to take firearms looking like this.”
